November 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

November 20th, 2016 by Chris Parks

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State’s Monte Morris notched the fifth triple-double in school history and 20th-ranked Iowa State throttled The Citadel 130-63 on Sunday, setting a program record for points in a game.

Morris had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and zero turnovers for Iowa State (3-0), which shot 60.5 percent from the floor. The Cyclones held the Bulldogs (2-2) — who entered play averaging a national-best 112.2 points a game — to just 22 in the first half.

Iowa State jumped ahead 18-3 and pushed its lead to 32 after just 14 minutes.

Iowa State cracked 100 with 11 minutes left, and coach Steve Prohm was able to pull Morris from the game with 7:46 left so Morris should get a standing ovation.

Naz Mitrou-Long scored 26 points and Matt Thomas had 18 for the Cyclones, who are beating their opponents by an average of 42 points.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

LINUS PETER KOCH, 88, of Earling (& formerly of Panama), died Sunday, Nov. 20th, at Myrtue Medical Center, in Harlan. A Mass of Christian Burial for LINUS KOCH will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., Nov.23rd, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption, in Panama. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Panama, is from 5-until 9-pm Tue., Nov. 22nd, with the family present from 6-until 8-p.m., and a Rosary at 7-p.m.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jameis Winston sliced up a Kansas City defense missing top cornerback Marcus Peters, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held on for a 19-17 victory Sunday that snapped the Chiefs’ five-game winning streak. Winston threw for 331 yards to help set up four field goals by Roberto Aguayo, and hit tight end Robert Cross for a touchdown with just over 6 minutes left to give the Buccaneers (5-5) a cushion.

The Chiefs (7-3) marched swiftly downfield, and Alex Smith hit Albert Wilson with a short touchdown pass with just over 2 minutes left. But their defense couldn’t stop Mike Evans on third-and-3 just moments later, and the big wide receiver’s sixth reception gave the Buccaneers a first down. By the time Kansas City finally forced a punt, there was 8 seconds left in the game.

It was the Buccaneers’ fifth straight win over Kansas City dating to 1993, and it snapped a home winning streak for the Chiefs that dated to a loss to Chicago on Oct. 11, 2015. The Chiefs, who had won 17 of their last 19 regular-season games, were done in by a popgun offense that has repeatedly fizzled in the red zone. They had to settle for a field goal by Cairo Santos on their first trip and Alex Smith threw an interception in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs head next to Denver, for a Sunday night showdown between AFC West contenders.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

This winter, visitors to the Museum of Danish America will be immersed in “The Whimsical World of Bjørn Wiinblad.” The exhibition, opening November 25 and running through May 30, celebrates the iconic Dane who threw midcentury Scandinavian minimalism out the window and was loved for it.

The exhibit has been adapted from the original, which was developed by the ARKEN Modern Art Museum in Ishøj, Denmark. Several large-scale pieces are on loan from Denmark alongside an assortment of works from private collectors across the US.

Wiinblad (1918-2006) is an artist who embraced it all – every medium and every color, from the handmade to the mass-produced. The exhibit samples his work with ceramics, theatrical costumes, posters, tapestry, and more. Most guests to the exhibit will recognize his characteristic smiling, round-faced people in vaguely 19th-century costume, such as those featured on his set of 12 Nymolle calendar plaques, among the most commonly seen collector’s items.

“Wiinblad believed that everyone should be able to have something beautiful in their home, and he happily collaborated with companies that offered affordable items to the public,” said the museum’s Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture, Tova Brandt, “He wrote that it was the quality, rather than the quantity, that defined good art – and he devoted as much effort to designing wrapping paper as his did to costumes for the Royal Ballet.”

Wiinblad’s career began in 1945, amidst the enduringly popular “Danish modern” design movement. Wiinblad injected fantasy and an almost cartoon-ish flair that created a perfect accent to all of the clean-lined furniture and modernist spaces of the time.

“Though Wiinblad’s style may look like a departure from the minimal, modernist aesthetic of the mid-20th century, his commitment to the democratization of art fits into the social values of the era,” commented Brandt.

Quite notably, the exhibit is accompanied by a 144-page publication created by ARKEN that is the most comprehensive volume of Wiinblad’s life and work ever published. (Copies are available through the MoDA Design Store for $22.) As part of its “Whimsical Winter” slate of activities to go along with the exhibit, the museum will be holding a special winter solstice celebration on the evening of December 21 with a cozy bonfire and activities to mark the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

From his most popular collectibles to unique examples of textile art, this retrospective exhibit engages both long-time and new fans of Wiinblad’s work. “The Whimsical World of Bjørn Wiinblad” is made possible by support from the Albert V. Ravenholt Fund, the Iowa Arts Council – a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Danish Home of Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A distracted driver is being blamed for an accident Saturday evening, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 36-year old Megan Sullivan, of Clarinda, was traveling west on Highway34 at around 5:50-p.m., and slowing to turn north onto N. 4th Street, and had come to a complete stop, when her 2011 Dodge Durango was struck from behind by a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The driver of the car, 16-year old Noah Roberts, of Red Oak, told authorities he looked down at his cell phone “for just a second,” when his car hit the SUV.

Airbags on the Pontiac deployed upon impact. No injuries were reported. Damage from the collision amounted to $17,500, with the Pontiac said to be a total loss. No citations were issued.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

At least four area school district Boards of Education will hold their separate, regularly scheduled meetings, Monday evening. In Griswold, the Board meeting gets underway at 5:30-p.m. in the Central Office Board Room. The Board will discuss the latest with regard to the District Facilities and hear a report from the Facilities Committee. They’ll also view the results of the Nov. 8th General Election and hold the second reading of various Board Policies before swearing in newly elected Board Member Donald K. Smith. And, the Griswold School Board will hold their annual election, selecting a Board President and Vice President, prior to acting on annual administrative matters, such as setting their future meeting time and dates, the school calendar and more. They’ll also act on the sale of District vehicles and the purchase of District Vans.

The CAM School Board will meet 6:30-p.m., Monday, at the High School in Anita, during which they will hear from Jordan Aggen with regard to Literacy Instruction and Assessment. Joni Ehm and Grace Kopp will then present a TLC (Teacher Leadership Compensation) overview. The CAM School Board will also discuss a resignation, contracts for Chelsey Vais [para educator], Todd Russell [H.S. Boys Track] and Sheri Blair [Guidance Counselor]. They’ll also discuss the sale of buses, bids for telephones, and a Fundraiser Request.

The Audubon School Board meeting gets underway at 7-p.m. in the High School Board Room. During their session, the Board will act on an SBRC request for At Risk/Dropout Prevention, and Policy Review Committee recommendations. They’ll also receive updates for, and possibly act on approving: Early Retirement options; Tax Sheltered Annuity changes; a report from the Transportation Committee meeting and Staff Survey Instrument update.

And finally, the Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board meeting takes place 7-p.m. Monday, in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. The Board is expected to act on Contracts (2 new hires and 1 resignation), and later in the meeting, bids for Snow Removal and Revisions of various Board Policies. They’ll also discuss a District Facilities Assessment.

MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. NOT AS COOL. LOW IN THE UPPER 30S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

TUESDAY…LIGHT RAIN LIKELY IN THE MORNING, THEN LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY AND A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH AROUND 50. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70 PERCENT.

TUESDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. LIGHT RAIN LIKELY THROUGH MIDNIGHT, THEN A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE MID 30S. CHANCE OF RAIN 70 PERCENT.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Governor Terry Branstad is not ruling out the idea he would accept an invitation to be the U.S. Ambassador to China. President-elect Donald Trump touted the idea himself during his last campaign rally in Iowa before the Election. Trump invited Branstad onstage in Sioux City. “I think there’s nobody that knows more about trade than him. He’s one of the ones. In dealing with China, boy, you would be our prime candidate to take care of China,” Trump said. “He has done so, so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better.”

Branstad left immediately after the Election for a trade mission in China. He spoke with reporters in Des Moines Saturday night. “I’m not ruling anything out, but you know my focus has always been on Iowa and I want to serve the people of Iowa and accomplish as much as I can and I’m really proud of what we did in this election and I’m going to continue to work hard and accomplish as much as we can,” Branstad said.

Aside from living elsewhere while serving in the miltary, Branstad has spent his entire life living in Iowa. Has he envisioned living overseas? “Well, I haven’t really thought about that, I’m really focused on wht we want to accomplish with a Republican-controlled legislature.” The governor isn’t sharing what his wife, Chris, thinks of relocating to China. “Her opinion is important,” Branstad told reporters. He was asked: “And what is her opinion?” Branstad laughed, then said: “Well, it’s too early. We haven’t even — you know, this is something a lot of people are speculating about, but it’s not something that has been discussed with the people that have the responsibility.”

Branstad’s son, Eric, was Trump’s Iowa campaign manager. The elder Branstad told reporters he’s headed to New York City in early December for long-scheduled trip to meet with business prospects for Iowa. New York City, of course, is where Trump and his transition team are headquartered. Branstad says there “may be an opportunity at that time” for him to meet with Trump’s team.

November 20th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Quarterback Joel Lanning tied a school record with five rushing touchdowns, Jacob Park threw for 285 yards and two TDs and Iowa State clobbered Texas Tech 66-10 on Saturday. Lanning ran for 171 yards for the Cyclones (3-8, 2-6 Big 12), who scored their most points since beating Colorado State 69-0 in 1980. They entered play as a slight underdog, only to overwhelm the Red Raiders with a 45-3 halftime lead and set a school record for points in a Big 12 game.

Iowa State scored touchdowns on five consecutive first-half possessions — a stretch capped by Kamari Cotton-Moya’s 48-yard interception return — and racked up a program-best 31 points in the second quarter. Pat Mahomes had 219 yards passing for Tech (4-7, 2-6), which is guaranteed to finish with a losing record for the second time in four years under coach Kliff Kingsbury.

For a fan base that’s been searching for hope for over a decade, Saturday’s performance was like a dream come true. Everything the Cyclones did worked — and the result was perhaps the most dominant conference game the program has ever played. The Cyclones still have a ways to go, but beating Tech by 56 points might buy first-year coach Matt Campbell an entire offseason of good will.

Iowa State concludes coach Matt Campbell’s first season by hosting West Virginia next week. It’ll be a trip that suddenly looks a lot more dangerous for the Mountaineers.